Clooney to receive Hope humanitarian Emmy

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., July 21 (UPI) -- The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences said Wednesday it plans to present Hollywood actor George Clooney with its Bob Hope Humanitarian Award.

The award-winning actor-director-producer, internationally renowned for his humanitarian efforts, is the fourth person to be presented with the television academy's tribute honoring the legacy of comedian Bob Hope, who died in 2003 at the age of 100.

The special Emmy is presented to an individual in the telecommunications industry whose humanitarian work has brought credit to the industry, and whose deeds and actions have a lasting impact on society, the academy said.

The previous winners of the prize are Oprah Winfrey, Bill Cosby and the late Danny Thomas.

Clooney is to be presented with the honor Aug. 29 at the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards show in Los Angeles.

"George was an obvious choice for this honor," John Shaffner, academy chairman and chief executive officer, said in a statement. "He has understood and harnessed the power of television, the most powerful medium of our time, to reach into the hearts of people around the world and compelled us to action on behalf of those in sudden and desperate need as well those tragically oppressed in Darfur."

"Like my own father, George is a person who looks beyond himself to use his celebrity for good, to make a difference in the world, and to inspire others to do the same," added Linda Hope, Bob Hope's daughter. "It's particularly gratifying that he has been selected for this award, since our families have a history of friendship and a powerful, shared desire to help others."

United Press International is a leading provider of news, photos and information to millions of readers around the globe via UPI.com and its licensing services.

With a history of reliable reporting dating back to 1907, today’s UPI is a credible source for the most important stories of the day, continually updated - a one-stop site for U.S. and world news, as well as entertainment, trends, science, health and stunning photography. UPI also provides insightful reports on key topics of geopolitical importance, including energy and security.

A Spanish version of the site reaches millions of readers in Latin America and beyond.

UPI was founded in 1907 by E.W. Scripps as the United Press (UP). It became known as UPI when after a merger with the International News Service in 1958, which was founded in 1909 by William Randolph Hearst. Today, UPI is owned by News World Communications.